Cut expensive school programs

Tuesday

Apr 29, 2008 at 2:05 AM

It is a travesty to cut the wages of our teachers and administrators in Manatee County schools. The School Board has behaved in a fiscally irresponsible manner, implementing costly new reading programs and adopting new computer-data collections. Why the purchase of a new Professional Service Building and then turning around and expecting district personnel to pay the price by receiving pay cuts? Does Dr. Roger Dearing really believe cutting salaries will best serve our children? Perhaps if the superintendent had purchased used portables instead of a new building we wouldn't be in such a money crunch!

Last year, the School Board increased principals' and administrators' contracts from 11 months to 12 months. For what reason? Only for a large pay cut now? Why not stay at 11 months, or even 10 months?

An expensive curriculum consultant has been added, as well as paid guest speakers.

People in this community need to let the School Board know that its careless spending should not hurt our teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists and principals. They have to deal with children getting shot in their neighborhoods and with gangs, suicide and drug addiction. Many children attend school without the prerequisite skills for learning. Our schools are socializing, feeding and protecting these children as well as teaching them.

Most school districts in Florida are choosing to cut expensive programs rather than salaries. Voters should be watching our School Board's decisions. Perhaps it is time to get people willing to do the job for less money.

R.D. Brinkman

Bradenton

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